Racing: Ladies' day out at Rotorua on cards

The wives of a couple of former jockeys could be celebrating at Arawa Park tomorrow.

Sharon Johnson, wife of ex-jockey and successful trainer Ray, and Louise Weatherley, wife of Darren, share in racing Cody Cat, a leading prospect in the Rotorua Commercial Travellers Club 1400.

Johnson and Robbie Lithgow, a former studmaster of the now defunct Wedgewood Stud, raced Cody Cat's dam, Bandit Queen, a winner of a couple of races, and Johnson has continued to breed from the mare.

Weatherley and Johnson, neighbours in Matamata, race Cody Cat in partnership with Johnson's sister, Sue McKenzie (also of Matamata) and the trio have already had some success with the son of Scaredee Cat.

Cody Cat had been a trials' winner before making his debut and in his second start he recorded a strong win over 1400m at Matamata last October. He was then put aside for a spell and when resuming at Matamata last month he produced an eye-catching run for fourth over 1200m.

In that latest run he was slowly away and still well back on the home turn, but stormed home late down the outside, suggesting he could be a next-up winner.

Cody Cat is trained by premiership leader, John Sargent, for whom Darren Weatherley is a pre-trainer.

Louise Weatherley is Sargent's office manager.

The Weatherleys also have another interest at the Racing Rotorua meeting, namely Rabiosa, who will contest the Ruck 'N Maul Sports Bar & TAB 3YO. They also race the son of Captain Rio from the Sargent stable.

Rabiosa ran an encouraging race on debut at Matamata when making ground late for fifth over 1200m. It was a performance which makes him a leading prospect over 1400m tomorrow.

Selections:

12.30, 2012 Rotorua Cup - Sat 12 May Hwt: Le Nuage, C'mon, Currency Spike.

1.05, Malfroy's Bar Hwt: Credit Crunch, El Marino, Recession Proof.

1.40, Ruck 'N Maul Sports Bar & TAB 3YO: My Blossom Lady, Joy, Rabiosa.

2.15, Taupo Cosmopolitan Club 1230: Pride And Passion, Chill Bill, Le Cougar.

2.50, Tokaanu - Turangi RSA 1400: Life's In A Spin, Vuela, Gijima.

3.25, Lion Red Sprint: Turquoise, Agent Ziva, Rite Of Spring.

4.00, Rotorua Commercial Travellers Club 1400: Cody Cat, Waimanu Road, Mindy.

4.35, Rotorua Club 1950: Palemo, Tamsyn Rose, Little Matey.

Best Bet: Credit Crunch.

Best Longshot: Viva La Vida (r8).